The Acts of Famous National Councils of the Reformed Churches in France, 11 (2nd Rochelle) – Table of contents 12
1581. Synod XI.THE II. Synod of Rochel.
SYNOD XI.
The Eleventh National Synod of the Reformed Churches of France, held at Rochel the ſecond time (inſtead of the City of Loudun, in Anjou) on Wedneſday the 21th. of June, and ended the 10th. of July, in the Year, 1581. In the 8th. Year of the Reign of Henry the Third King of France and Poland.
CHAP. I. The Catalogue and Names of the Deputies.
THere appeared as Deputies of the Provinces unto this Synod the Paſtors and Elders, whoſe Names are hereafter regiſtred, Videlicet.
I. For the Province of Anjou, Touraine, the Maine, Perche, Vandômois, and Loudumois, Monſieur de la Plante, Miniſter of the bleſſed Goſpel of our Lord Jeſus in the Church of Pringay, and Mathurin Peju his Elder in company with him.
II. For the Province of Poictou, Monſieur Alexander de L'eſtang-Godion, Miniſter of God's holy Word in the Church of Coue or Codue, and Monſieur de Faux, Miniſter of the Goſpel at Chaſtel-herauld, accompanied with Monſieur Colin, Doctor of Phyſick, and Elder of the Church in Fontenay.
III. For the Iſle of France, Monſieur de Beaulieu, Miniſter of the Goſpel in the Church of — [N. B. neither of my four Copies do note his Church; yet there was a Gentleman of this Name, Paſtor of the Church of Senlis in this very Province, in the Year, 1603. which I ſuppoſe to be the ſame.] without an Elder.
IV. For the Province of Normandy, Monſieur de la Four, Miniſter of the Goſpel, and Paſtor of the Church of Chriſt in the City of Rouan. He came unto the Synod alone, without an Elder.
Mr. Beraud was alſo the firſt Profeſſor of Divinity in that Univerſity, according to my Catalogue of its Profeſſors.V. For Xaintonge, Monſieur dec Monſtier, Miniſter of God's Holy Word in the Town of St. John de Angely, in company with the Sieur Paboul, Elder of the Church of Pons.
VI. For the Province of Higher Languedoc, and Higher Guienne Monſieur Michael Beraud, Miniſter of the Goſpel in the Church and City of Montauban, accompanied with Monſieur Bais, Elder in the ſaid Church.
VII. For the Province of Perigord, Gaſcony, and Limouſin, Monſieur Berjat, or Debordat, Miniſter of God's Holy Word in the Church of Bergerac, and Janicon Dedon, Elder of the Church of Duras.
VIII. For the Province of Britain, Monſieur Nicholas Bernier, Miniſter of the bleſſed Goſpel of Chriſt Jeſus in the Church of Vitre, accompanied with Monſieur de Rouſſiere, Elder of the Church in Vielle Vigne.
IX. For the Province of Augolmois, Monſieur La Croix, Miniſter of the Word of God in the Church of Jarnac, without an Elder.
X. For the Province of Champagne, Monſieur Capell, Miniſter of God's Holy Word in the Church of Sedan, and Monſieur Paſquier, Elder of the Church at Troys in Champagne.
XI. The Province of Burgundy and Berry were abſent, but excuſed their abſence by Letters.
XII. For the Lower Languedoc, Monſieur Brunier, Miniſter in the Church of Ʋſez, accompanied with Monſieur Fortin, an Elder.
XIII. The Provinces of Dolphiny, Provence, Foreſt, and Auvergne were all of them abſent, and which was very much admired, they had not the Civility to excuſe their abſence by any Letters written and ſent from their reſpective Synods unto this National Aſſembly.
XIV. Prayer being ended, Monſieur de Nort, Miniſter of the Goſpel in the Church of Rochel was voted Moderator, and Monſieur de la Place, Miniſter of Pringey Aſſeſſor, and Monſieur de Leſtang-Godion, Miniſter of Coue, in Poictou, and Monſieur de Chauveton, Lord of Beauvois and Miniſter of the Church of St. Martins in the Iſle of Re, were alſo voted to be Scribes.
CHAP. II. General MATTERS.
I. ALL the Deputies proteſted in the Name of the Churches of their reſpective Provinces, that they would perſevere in the Union of that Doctrine, and Confeſſion of Faith, which was formerly ſubſcribed in the National Synod held in this City, in the Year, 1571. and now exhibited, read and recognized in this Aſſembly. Moreover, the ſaid Deputies certifyed and declared, that they had not the leaſt notice given them of any manner of oppoſition to it, but a general Acquieſcency in the ſaid Doctrine and Confeſſion of Faith in all their Churches. For which they did unanimouſly praiſe God.
One Miniſter enough to ordain another.II. The Book of Diſcipline being read, It was ordained that the fourth Article in the Chapter of Miniſters ſhould remain entire as it was, excepting that inſtead of three or four Miniſters required to preſent the new elected Miniſter unto the Miniſtery, one only ſhould be ſufficient.
III. In the Margent of the 5th. Article, this ſhall be inſerted, That the ſaid Article was only appointed for ſuch a time, when as a Province had no Churches conſtituted in it, and not for the preſent Day, when as, bleſſed be God, every Province in the Kingdom hath divers of them.
IV. Theſe were declared Apoſtates by the Iſle of France, and their Declaration approved of by this National Synod, Touſſainct le Gibou in Normandy, Launay in Brie: And Panctier in Picardy, a Deſerter, Grenet, a Miniſter of La Garnache, in Lower Poictou, a Vagrant; and Quenet in the Colloquy of Ʋſez, and Monſieur Beazer, was ordered to make inquiry about one called du Pleſſis.
V. The 22d. Article of the Synod of St. Foy, concerning Miniſters who Practice Phyſick, having been read, was Approved, as being conſonant to the Word of God. And this Aſſembly being informed that divers Miniſters do more employ themſelves in Phyſick, than in the Duties of their Miniſtery, The Deputies of the Province in which they live, were ordered to exhort them to intend and mind their Miniſtery, and to yield plenary Obedience unto God's Word in this Article, or otherwiſe the Colloquies and Synods ſhall proceed againſt them according to the Rules of our Diſcipline.
VI. Princes and great Lords ſhall be adviſed to obſerve the Articles of our Diſcipline, and to ſend their Miniſters to our National and Provincial Synods and Colloquies.
VII. The 12th. Article of our Diſcipline, and the 21th. and 33d. of the Synod of Figeac were thus confirmed. 'Tis the Judgment of this Aſſembly, that a Paſtor being duely diſcharged from his Church, if the Colloquy or Provincial Synod in which he ſerved do not within a Month provide him another Congregation, he may accept of the firſt Call given him by any other Province; and this according to the Canons of our Diſcipline.
VIII. The 15th. Article of our Diſcipline, concerning Miniſters was confirmed, but with this Proviſo, That theſe words, Compoſed of ſix at the leaſt, ſhall be left out.
IX. And that the ſaid Article may be the better underſtood, After theſe words, Who ſhall have intruded into a Church, this ſhall be added, Altho' he had been afterwards choſen by the People.
X. And whereas in the 16th. Article, it was thus written, The Reaſons, it ſhall be added, And the Reaſons being well examin'd.
XI. And to that of Profeſſors ſhall be added, Regents and School-maſters.
XII. Elders in the Paſtor's abſence, may warrantably perform that Duty of publick Common-Prayer, eſpecially if they have been thereunto appointby the Conſiſtory.
XIII. Whereas in the 6th. Article concerning Elders and Deacons, it is ſaid that no Elders ſhall pretend to Primacy, Let this be added, neither in Election, nor Precedency, nor in order of Suffrages, nor in any other thing belonging to their Office of Elders.
XIV. The 7th. Article concerning Elders and Deacons ſhall be moſt diligently obſerved.
XV. Miniſters and Elders are required to uſe their utmoſt Endeavour, that the Twelfth Article in the Chapter of Conſiſtories be punctually obſerved.
XVI. Adviſe was taken on the Third Article of Conſiſtories, which treats of Certificates given unto Paſſengers, That for time coming good and vallid Cauſes moving us hereunto, The firſt Certificates ſhall neither be kept nor broken, until ſuch time as they be come unto their journies end mentioned in them, and then and there the ſaid Certificates ſhall be detain'd and cancelled, and Certificates ſhall be given very rarely unto any Perſons.
XVII. The Tenth Article of Figeac ſhall be cloſed up with this Addition, If it be not with Conſent of the Conſiſtories, no Offences ſhall be diſcovered to the Civil Magiſtrate.
The 5th. Penny of all Charities ſhall be applied towards the Maintenance of Propoſans.XVIII. His Majeſty the King of Navar, and his Higneſs the Prince of Conde, and other Lords profeſſing our Holy Reformed Religion ſhall be moſt humbly deſired to contribute liberally towards the Maintenance of poor Scholars and Propoſans deſigned for the Miniſtery. And all Churches are exhorted to preſs this Duty vigorouſly upon their richer and more ſubſtantial Members, that ſo every Colloquy may be able at leaſt to give Subſiſtance unto one Propoſan, and if it can be conveniently, the fifth Penny of all Charity-monies ſhall be allotted to this very purpoſe.
XIX. That the 13th. Article of Conſiſtories may be executed, concerning a Collection of all memorable Acts relating to the Church's Sufferings, it is thought meet that every Colloquy do depute a Miniſter, to whom all the Churches ſhall ſend their Memoirs, that they may be brought unto the Provincial Synod, and thence unto the National.
XX. Such Profeſſors as range abroad to hear the Word in one Church and receive the Sacrament in another, ſhall be admoniſhed of their Duty to fix themſelves to ſome particular Church of Chriſt, and in caſe of neglect, they ſhall be cenſured.
XXI. In the firſt Article concerning Delinquents, next after theſe words, Nor the Cauſe of it, ſhall be added this, nor in like manner the Reſtitution, and theſe words ſhall be razed out, Leſt they be defamed.
CHAP. III.
XXII. IT being deſired that the 3d Article of the Synod of Figeac might be explained; the Aſſembly voted, that towards the cloſe of it, there ſhould be this Addition, viz. That it was left wholly to the Prudence of the Conſiſtory, whether they would mention by name or not, thoſe who had a long time ſince revolted; but as for them who were but of late Apoſtates, Cenſures ſhall be pronounc'd againſt them according to the Tenor of that Canon, unleſs that by ſuch a Perſonal Denunciation of thoſe Sinners the Conſistory might foreſee ſome great and notable Danger like to betide the Church: In which caſe nothing ſhall be done without the Advice of the Provincial Synod.
XXIII. If the Members of one Church fallen into Idolatry happen to take up their abode in another, where their Crime is not known, they ſhall only teſtify their Repentance privately before the Conſiſtory, but with this Condition, that in caſe they return to that former Church, whereunto they belonged, they ſhall then and there alſo make a publick Acknowledgment of their Offence.
XXIV. Publick Penances ſhall be undergone perſonally, and by thoſe only who have publickly offended; the Sinner openly and ſincerely with his Mouth from his Heart teſtifying his Repentance.
XXV. Whoredoms when committed, and come to publick …owledge ſhall by their Actors be publickly acknowledged with evident Tokens of Repentance.
XXVI. This Clauſe, by the greater part, ſhall be razed out from the end of the 17th. Article of Figeac, and there ſhall be this only inſerted, known by the greater part.
XXVII. Both thoſe Canons of the Tenth National Synod, and of our ancient Diſcipline concerning the time of meeting for Colloquies and Provincial Synods ſhall remain in full force, ſo that they be wholly left unto their Liberty to do therein as they may moſt conveniently.
XXVIII. Foraſmuch as Provincial Synods depend upon the National, Colloquies alſo ſhall for the ſame Reaſons be ſubject unto the Provincial Synods, and Conſiſtories unto Colloquies.
XXIX. The National Synod of the Reformed Churches of this Kingdom aſſembled in this City of Rochel, under the Authority of the King's Edicts, having ſeen a certain Book Intituled, The Hiſtory of France, printed in this City, upon divers complaints made unto us from all parts of the Kingdom againſt it, and having took Cogniſance of the proceedings of the Conſiſtory of this Church againſt the find Book, hath found that in many places the Author ſpeaks exceeding irreverently and irreligiouſly of divine Things, and that it is a heap of idle, vain and prophane Matters, full of Falſhoods, Lies and Calumnies, to the great prejudice of God's glorious Power, to the diſadvantage and diſhonour of our Holy Doctrine and Reformed Religion, to the Diſſamation of divers godly Perſons dead and living. And therefore hath thought good to advertiſe all the Churches, that they beware of the ſaid Book, and inaſmuch as in them lieth to diſapprove it. And this Synod doth judicially declare the Author of the ſaid Book (if he own himſelf a Proteſtant) unworthy of our Holy Communion, and not to be admitted to the participation of the Sacraments, until ſuch time as he ſhall have acknowledged his offence, and by convenient means, ſuch as the Suppreſſion of his Hiſtory, ſhall have repaired the Scandal that he hath given unto the Churches.
XXX. The Synod alſo having ſeen and examined another Book written in Latin upon Geneſis, by a certain Fellow, called. James Brocan of Piedmont, printed in this City, hath declared, and doth declare it to be fraught with Impieties, and horrible Profanations of the Sacred Scriptures, and pernicious Errors, eſpecially in Matters of Revelation of Revelation Prophecy, and therefore exhorts all the Faithful to keep themſelves carefully from being ſeduced by it.
XXXI. The firſt Article of Provincial Synods being read, it was decreed, That all Miniſters ſhould attend in Perſon at their Provincial Synods, or ſhould excuſe themſelves by Letters in caſe of abſence, the cauſes whereof ſhould be judged valid, or otherwiſe, by thoſe Aſſemblies.
XXXII. The third Article concerning National Synods ſhall abide in its full power. But for the benefit of all our Churches, there ſhall be this clauſe added: That for time to come, if poſſible it may be done, there ſhall be two Miniſters, and two Elders deputed from every Province unto them.
XXXIII. Foraſmuch as Dancings and other Diſſolutions do ſprout up and increaſe every where, yea, and in theſe our Reformed Churches, it was thought good to exhort the Conſiſtories, that for God's ſake they would conſcientiouſly obſerve the Six and twentieth Article of particular Orders decreed in the Synod of Figeac, and in the Name of God, and by the Authority of this preſent Aſſembly, that it be read publickly in the Churches, and all Colloquies and Synods are hereby expreſly charged to cenſure thoſe Conſiſtories that neglect their Duty in this particular.
XXXIV. All thoſe who by unlawful means, as by Papal Bulls, or ready Money ſhall purchaſe or hold Benefices, and ſuch as cauſe Idolatry to be upheld and maintained, either directly or indirectly, ſhall be excluded Communion at the Lord's Table.
XXXV. As to what concerns Impropriators and Farmers of Benefices, the ancient Canons of our Diſcipline ſhall hold good, and be in full force, power, and vertue againſt them. Yet nevertheleſs the Deputies ſhall bring with them from their reſpective Provinces, whatever Difficulties have occurr'd about thoſe matters, that ſo they may be debated in the next National Synod. And whereas our Brethren of Languedoc, Gaſcony and Perigord, have deſired have for the welfare of their Churches to cenſure ſuch Farmers, the buſineſs is left unto the prudence of their Provincial Synods.
XXXVI. That Churches may not hereafter upon the death or removal of their Paſtors be diſſolved, the Miniſters who preſide in the Colloquy for a new Election, ſhall firſt of all enquire of every Elder in other Churches of the Colloquy, what, and how much Maintenance they exhibit unto their Paſtors, and what care they take for paying in unto them their promiſed Stipends, that ſo proviſion may be made for them by the Authority of the Colloquies.
XXXVII. Theſe words, The moſt eminent, ſhall be blotted out from the 33d Article of Figeac.
XXXVIII. Synods and Colloquies ſhall conſult how to ſix the Limits and Extent of that Church, wherein a Miniſter ſhall exerciſe his ordinary Calling.
XXXIX. Miniſters belonging to the Churches of France, and now living abroad without the Kingdom, ſhall be recalled by their reſpective Provinces.
XL. Foraſmuch as there is a notorious contempt of Religion viſible in all places, yea alſo in our Religious Meetings, we adviſe that Notice be given unto all Perſons, to bring with them their Pſalm-Books into the Churches, and that ſuch as contemptuouſly neglect the doing of it, ſhall be ſeverely cenſur'd; and all Proteſtant Printers are adviſed not to ſunder in their Impreſſions the Prayers and Catechiſm from the Pſalm-Books.
XLI. The 17th Article of particular Orders concerning Habits was thus explained: This Synod declareth, That ſuch Habits are not to be allowed in common wearing, which carry with them evident marks of laſciviouſneſs, diſſolution, and exceſſive new-fangled Faſhions, ſuch as painting, ſlaſhing, cutting in pieces, trimming with Locks and Taſſels, or any other that may diſcover our Nakedneſs, or naked Breaſts, or Fardingales, or the like ſort of Garments, with which both Men and Women do wickedly cloath and adorn themſelves. And Conſiſtories ſhall do their utmoſt endeavour to ſuppreſs ſuch Diſſolutions by their Cenſures, and in caſe the Delinquents are contumacious and rebellious, they ſhall proceed againſt them even to Excommunication.
XLII. As to the 14th Canon concerning Marriages, this Synod doth not judge it contrary to the 24th Article enacted by the Aſſembly of Eſtates at Blois; for in that Orders only were given unto Notaries and Scriveners, how they ſhould carry and behave themſelves; wherefore leaving unto Notaries to follow their ordinary buſineſs in the way and manner preſcribed to them, nothing hinders but that the Church may make Eſpouſals by words de proeſenti.
XLIII. All exceſſive and ſcandalous Uſuries ſhall be ſeverely forbidden and condemned.Uſuries forbidden.
XLIV. After theſe words, The Superſtition of the Romiſh Church, in the ſecond Article of particular Orders, there ſhall be theſe added: And the ſaid Printers and Bookſellers are exhorted not to ſell any ſcandalous Books relating to Idolatry, or Impudicity, or ſuch at have a tendency to corrupt good manners.
Not lawful to marry the Widow of the Wiſe's Brother.XLV. As to that Caſe propounded, Whether a Man might lawfully marry the Widow of his Wife's Brother? we judge, That over and above what has been determin'd by others formerly in this matter, that there is a ſecret affinity between ſuch Parties, becauſe in the ſight of God, the Man and Wife are accounted but one fleſh, and therefore decency and civility will not permit it.
Licenſes to marry may be taken from the King, thô not from the Pope.XLVI. It is in no wiſe lawful for any Member of our Churches to addreſs themſelves unto the Pope for Diſpenſations to marry within the degrees prohibited, and to remove any preſent or after Impediments, which may or do occur in that holy Eſtate; becauſe in ſo doing there is an owning and ſubjection to his Tyrannical Authority. But yet in degrees not forbidden by the Word of God, which are now forbidden by our Civil Magiſtrate, we may lawfully addreſs ourſelves unto the King tor his Licenſe.
XLVII. The Faithful ſhall be admoniſhed both in Sermons and private Conferences not to defer Baptizing their Children, unleſs there be ſome very great cauſe inducing them thereunto.
XLVIII. None of our Members in Communion with us, ſhall aſſiſt at their Weddings or Wedding-Feaſts, who that they may marry a Popiſh Wife, do revolt from the Reformed Religion. But as for thoſe who have a long while ago left the Profeſſion of our Religion, or have been ever Papiſts, it's left to the prudence of the Faithful to conſider what will be moſt expedient for them; and if they go, let them take heed of approving the Evil in thoſe Meetings, and that they bear no part in the Dances, and other Diſſolutions which are commonly found and committed at them.
XLIX. For time to come, neither Miniſters, nor any other of the Faithful ſhall print or publiſh any of their Writings, or private Works, without having firſt obtained the expreſs leave and approbation of their reſpective Colloquies.
L. There ſhall be this clauſe added to the 12th Article of Figeac: And the ſaid Fathers ſhall make it appear unto the Conſiſtory, that they have been diligent in their Duty, to hinder as much as in them lay the ſaid Marriages.
LI. The Province of Brittany is ordered to convoke the next National Synod, and ſhall give Notice thereof three Months before unto all the Provinces, as alſo to the Miniſters of Bearn, Metz, and Sedan, and to the Miniſters of Princes, profeſſing the Reformed Religion.
The Original of the Acts of this Synod was lodged up in the Archives of the City of Rochel, out of which this preſent Copy was extracted, and it was thus ſigned,
De Nort, Moderator.
De L'Eſtang, and Scribes, choſen and deputed, thereunto by the Synod.
Chauveton Scribes, choſen and deputed, thereunto by the Synod.
The End of the Second Synod of Rochel.
THE ACTS, DECISIONS,1583. Synod XII. and DECREES OF THE XII. National Synod OF THE Reformed Churches of Chriſt, IN The KINGDOM of FRANCE, HELD At Vitrè, in the Caſtle of the Right Honourable GƲY Earl of Laval, on the 15th Day of May, and ended the 27th of the ſame Month, in the Year 1583, being the Ninth Year or the Reign of Henry the Third, King of France and Poland.
THE CONTENTS of this SYNOD.
CHap. I. Deputies Names. Deputies from the Churches in the Netherlands 18. Synodical Officers choſen.
Chap. II. General Matters. Deputies to be ſent from the Reformed Churches of France, unto the Dutch Synods, and from theirs unto the French Synods 1. Their Confeſſion and Diſcipline mutually ſigned. Miniſters to be lent reciprocally. Aſſeſſments of Members to be in Churches, not Provinces. A Caſe of Conſcience. 6. Another about Prayer, to be uſed at the Baptiſms of Children born in Incest 8. Promiſes of Marriage by words de praeſenti indiſſolvable. Notorious Sinners cast out of the Church 12. A weighty Caſe of Conſcience 13. Baptiſm to be adminiſtred before the last Pſalm 14. A Caſe about Patronage. 15. All the Deputies to communicate in the end of the National Synod 16. Whether a Popiſh Bride may be accompanied to her Church 17. A Caſe about Womens Habits. 18. A Caſe about Prohibitions against Church Cenſures 19. Acts for a Synodical Seal, and a National Fast 21, 22. A Caſe about ungraceful Church-Members, about Miniſters delegated out of their Colloquy or Provinces, about viſiting of the ſick 24, 25, 26.
Chap. III. Canons removed from, changed in, and added to the Diſcipline.
Chap. IV. Of particular Matters. A depoſed Miniſter petitioning to be reſtored unto his Office is rejected. A Caſe of Conſcience 2. A whole Church deprived of the Miniſtry for not maintaining their Paſtor 4. A Caſe of Conſcience 5. An Apoſtate Miniſter expoſed and excommunicated 6. Cenſures upon two other ſuch Delinquents 7. A Miniſter practiſing Phyſick cenſured 10. the Harmony of Confeſſions approved 14. A Caſe about confronting Witneſſes 15. A Caſe about a diſſolved Marriage 17. A ſcandalous Miniſter depoſed 18. A Caſe about a Penſion upon a Benefice 21. King of Navarr's Meſſage unto the Synod 26. A motion for Ʋnion between the German and French Churches. The Appeal of a ſcandalous Miniſter rejected 31. A Caſe about a Man's Marriage with his Wife's Niece 32. Broccard's Book on Geneſis again condemned 33. Bellefleur for writing against the Diſcipline cenſured. An Act for calling the next National Synod.